Things to do in  Mallorca

Nestled deep within the orange-grove-covered Valley of Gold (Vall d’Or), Sóller is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding Serra de Tramuntana. Before taking to the trails, spend some time strolling the labyrinthine streets, admiring the art galleries, and enjoying what Sóller is best known for—oranges.

This series of underground caves on Mallorca’s east coast is the island’s most impressive, and together comprise one of Europe’s largest cave complexes. The different chambers of the Caves of Drach (Cuevas del Drach) are home to rock formations such as stalactites and stalagmites—illuminated for striking effects—as well as the massive underwater Martel Lake, where classical music recitals take place.

After King James I (Jaume 1) conquered the Balearic Islands in 1229, he began the conversion of a Moorish-era mosque in present-day Palma de Mallorca (Majorca) into a grand Catalan Gothic-style cathedral overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The golden sandstone façade, the city’s most notable landmark, took more than 400 years to complete.

Set atop a wooded hill overlooking Palma, the 14th-century Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver) is known for its distinctive circular design—it is supposedly the only Spanish castle to bear this shape. Built for King James II, the castle later served as a military prison and mint and now houses the City History Museum (Museu d'Història de la Ciutat).

Built into the 16th-century Baluard de Sant Pere fortress in Mallorca’s capital, the glass-and-concrete Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Palma houses more than 800 artworks by Balearic and Mediterranean artists. Bounded by the fortress’ sea-facing walls, this sleek hub features everything from works by Picasso and Joan Miró to abstract sculptures.

Arguably the most beautiful beach on Mallorca—and certainly the most unspoiled, thanks to its location in a protected park—this 1.75-mile (3-kilometer coastal stretch is a top choice for families and sunseekers. Es Trenc’s shallow waters are ideal for little ones, while adults can enjoy watersports and seafront bars.

Built by the Romans, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina (Palau de l’Almudaina), overlooks the scenic bay in Palma, capital city of the island of Majorca, Spain. Visit this majestic site to see how antiquity lived throughout the centuries and today; the palace remains the official residence of Spain’s royals during visits to Majorca.

Claiming a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, this craggy mountain range rising sharply from Mallorca’s northwest coast is prized for both its striking landscapes and cultural history. Alpine roads wind through pine forests and boast oceans views at every hairpin turn, while traditional villages provide a link to the island’s long Christian and Muslim heritage.

Impossible to miss in the heart of Palma’s Old Town, Plaza Mayor is the Mallorcan capital’s largest square and a lively meeting place at any time of day. Constructed in the 19th century on a storied piece of land, today the sprawling rectangular plaza serves as a shopping and dining hotspot for locals and visitors alike.

Rising from a pretty square in Palma Old Town, the Basilica de Sant Francesc is a vision in sandstone. Founded in 1281 as a monastery and boasting a Gothic cloister and 17th-century baroque facade, the church is one of Mallorca’s most beautiful and historically significant. It has been known as one of the most famous churches on Palma since the Middle Ages.

One of the most popular day walks in Mallorca, the challenging Torrent de Pareis hike slices through the Sa Calobra Canyon and offers spectacular views of the Tramuntana Mountains. After completing the hike, enjoy access to remote and pebbly beaches, as well as the charming town of Sa Calobra.

With its beautiful white sand beaches framed in picturesque rocky points, Puerto Pollensa (Port de Pollença) on majestic Formentor peninsula has become a magnet for holiday goers with a taste for the finer things in life. Everyone from families to water sports enthusiasts come for the cafe-lined promenade, marina, and the Bay of Pollensa.

Dating back to the 10th century, the Palma Arab Baths (Baños Árabes) are among Palma’s most fascinating archaeological sites and some of the last remaining relics of the Muslim era in the Balearic Islands. It is believed that parts of the baths are the only remnants of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa.

Burrowed into Mallorca’s northern coastline, Coll Baix Beach (Platja des Coll Baix) is one of its few undeveloped beaches. Cradled by cliffs and turquoise waters and only easily accessible by boat—the secret to its seclusion—the cove is a gorgeous bolthole far from the madding crowds.

Ses Salines Natural Park is made up largely of water (a whopping 75 percent of the area) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's known for its beaches and biodiversity, as the home to 178 plant species and some 210 species of birds, including flamingos, Audouin’s gull, and Balearic shearwater.